Double Date Page 4

  Caught, Bobby thought. We’re caught.

  Of all the dumb stunts, he told himself, still struggling to catch his breath. Why did Samantha do that? And why did she drag me into it?

  “What’s your hurry?” the guard asked in a slow drawl.

  “We-we’re late,” Samantha managed to stammer.

  Pretty lame, Bobby thought.

  The guard narrowed his eyes at Samantha.

  Bobby squeezed the gold hoops in his fist. He saw that Samantha’s hair was hanging around her face.

  He heard shouting behind him. The salespeople from the Gold Barn?

  He glanced back to see. No. Just a bickering middle-aged couple.

  Then he turned back to face the stern security guard. Would Samantha confess she had taken the earrings? he wondered. Did she have an excuse ready for the guard?

  “You really shouldn’t run,” the guard told them. “You could get hurt.”

  “Sorry,” Samantha told him, lowering her eyes.

  “These floors can be slippery,” the guard warned. “So take it easy, hear?”

  “Yes, we will,” Samantha said solemnly. “Sorry.”

  The guard made a gesture with one hand, dismissing them. “Young people. Always in a hurry,” he muttered to himself as he turned and headed off.

  Bobby and Samantha managed to keep straight faces until they reached the parking garage. Then they fell apart, laughing and congratulating each other, howling jubilantly over their close call.

  “That was outstanding!” Samantha declared gleefully. “Outstanding!”

  Secretly, Bobby didn’t think the earrings were worth the risk Samantha had taken. His heart was still racing, and he felt shaky. But he didn’t want to look like a wimp. “Hey, that was better than a movie!” he told her.

  “Those floors can be slippery. So take it easy.” Samantha did a pretty good imitation of the guard’s slow drawl.

  They both burst out laughing again. Bobby slapped her a high-five.

  “When that guard stopped us, I nearly had a cow!” Bobby admitted.

  “He was old. We could’ve taken him,” Samantha replied casually.

  Bobby stared at her. What did she mean by that? Was she just joking?

  “Let’s get out of here!” she cried, her eyes flashing with excitement.

  They jogged across the garage to his red Bonneville, their sneakers loud on the concrete.

  “I’ll drive!” Samantha cried breathlessly. She held out her hand for Bobby’s car keys.

  He hesitated.

  “I want to drive!” she insisted. She grabbed the keys from his hand.

  “Used to getting your way a lot?” he teased.

  “Always!” she replied. She dropped into the driver seat and had the car started and the lights on before Bobby had opened his door. The engine roared as she pressed her foot down all the way on the gas pedal.

  “Are you used to a V-six?” Bobby asked warily. “This car has a lot of pickup.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I can handle it,” she replied dryly.

  Bobby grabbed the door handle as she backed out of the parking space without looking. The tires squealed as she went forward and roared around the corner toward the exit.

  She bolted through the exit without slowing to turn into the traffic on Division Street. She ignored the honking horns.

  Bobby swallowed hard and slumped low in the passenger seat.

  Samantha tossed her head back, laughing loudly.

  “What’s so funny?” Bobby demanded as she cut off a pizza van to get into the middle lane.

  “The look on your face,” she replied. “Don’t worry, Bobby. I’m a good driver.” She cut back into the right lane. More horns honked angrily behind them.

  Bobby glanced at the speedometer. She was going too fast.

  He started to tell her to slow down, but stopped himself. He was supposed to be cool, he told himself. So how cool would it be to scold her for driving too fast?

  “I love speed, don’t you?” she asked, making a sharp, squealing turn onto River Road. “I love going fast! It gets me so—pumped.” She glanced at him coyly.

  “Me too,” Bobby replied, trying to sound as if he meant it. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” She rolled down her window. The cool wind made her hair flutter wildly behind her. “This is great! This is great!” she cried, shouting over the roar of the wind.

  Houses with streetlights gave way to dark woods. They were driving along the river now, Bobby knew. He saw Samantha floor the gas pedal as the road began to climb to the rock cliffs that overlooked the riverbank.

  I don’t believe this! he thought. Is she driving to River Ridge?

  River Ridge, the high cliff overlooking the Conononka River and the town, was the big makeout spot for Shadyside teenagers.

  Wow! She doesn’t waste any time! Bobby thought happily.

  Finally she slowed the car as they reached the top. She guided it past a couple of parked cars and pulled to a stop at the cliff edge beside a clump of tall shrubs.

  Samantha cut the engine and the lights, then pulled her disheveled hair back with both hands. “Well, look where we are,” she whispered, staring out through the windshield.

  “Nice driving,” Bobby said with a grin.

  “You haven’t been up here before, have you?” she teased.

  “Maybe a few times,” he replied, leaning toward her.

  “I think I like you,” she murmured.

  As they kissed, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. The kiss lasted a long time.

  I don’t believe these twins! Bobby thought. He remembered Bree’s kisses, so hungry, so needy.

  I can’t wait to tell Arnie! Bobby thought as they stopped to catch their breath. Arnie will totally freak out!

  He kissed her again. Bobby the Man will be the talk of Shadyside High on Monday! he told himself. No one will believe I made out with both Wade twins in one weekend!

  What was it Samantha had said to him when they met at the mall? “You have quite a reputation.” Yeah. That’s what she said.

  Well, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Bobby thought.

  When word gets out about this weekend—the all-Wade weekend!—everyone will know who’s the coolest guy in school!

  I am the king! Bobby thought, kissing her again.

  The king of rock ‘n’ roll!

  Samantha pulled back and stared at him, her eyes half shut. “I told you I like to go fast,” she whispered.

  Bobby settled back in the passenger seat. This girl was just so hot, so hot! He wondered if it would be too late to call Arnie that night.

  “What are you thinking about?” Samantha demanded dreamily.

  “I’m just thinking how great you are,” Bobby lied.

  Smooth. Very smooth, he congratulated himself.

  She opened her eyes wide. “Do you like me better than Bree?”

  The blunt question startled him. “Yeah. Sure, I do.”

  She smiled. The wind fluttered her hair. She settled back on the car seat and stared out the windshield.

  Bobby followed her gaze. The black sky was dotted with a million tiny white stars. A hazy sliver of cloud cut the pale full moon in half.

  “I’m a little different from my sister,” Samantha said softly, staring up at the sky.

  “Yeah,” Bobby agreed. Then he added, “But you two look so much alike. You really do. How do people tell you apart?”

  Samantha turned to him with a sly smile. “There’s a way to tell us apart,” she said coyly.

  “How?” Bobby demanded.

  She brought her face close to his and whispered in his ear, “When we get to know each other better, I’ll show you.” Her soft breath tickled his ear, made a chill run down the back of his neck.

  Wow, he thought. Wow.

  “I think Bree really likes you,” she told him, her smile fading.

  “I think I like you better,” Bobby replied.

  “You’d better b
e careful,” she said, avoiding his eyes.

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “Well …” She hesitated. “Bree is kind of fragile,”

  “Fragile?”

  “You’d better be careful not to hurt her,” Samantha warned, raising her eyes to Bobby’s. “Bree can be a little—strange when she’s hurt.”

  Bobby stared hard at Samantha. A cloud drifted over the moon, and her face darkened. “Samantha, what do you mean?” he asked.

  “I really don’t want to talk about it,” she told him. Her eyes narrowed. “Just be careful with Bree, Bobby. Be very careful.”

  chapter 10

  Three’s a Crowd

  Bobby slammed his locker shut and headed down the hall. The final bell had rung. The school was emptying quickly.

  A riff from an old Chuck Berry song kept repeating in his head. As he made his way to the music room, he was thinking about trying it on the guitar.

  The band was really starting to cook, Bobby thought, waving to some kids heading out the door. Bright afternoon sunlight burst into the hall as they pushed the double doors open.

  Too bad Paul was threatening to quit. Just when they were starting to play so well together. Paul had given an excuse about having to get an after-school job.

  But Bobby thought he knew the real reason—Paul was jealous of him. He’s a good, dependable player. But he doesn’t have my style, and he knows it.

  Turning a corner, waving to a group of girls from his class, he decided to have a talk with Paul. I’ll tell him how much we need him, Bobby decided. I’ll make him think he’s the leader, make him feel like a big man. He’ll stay.

  Spotting Kimmy Bass at her locker, Bobby crept up behind her and gave her hair a hard tug.

  Kimmy shrieked angrily and spun around. “Bobby—you creep!” She sneered at him. “Get your disgusting paws off me!”

  “You love it!” Bobby shot back, grinning.

  “Creep,” Kimmy repeated in a low voice.

  “Are you doing anything Saturday night?” Bobby asked her.

  She stared at him suspiciously. “Why?”

  “Just asking,” Bobby said, his blue eyes returning the stare.

  “No, I’m not doing anything,” Kimmy told him.

  “Then why not take a bath?” Bobby let out a high-pitched hyena laugh.

  “Aaaaagh!” Kimmy let out a disgusted cry and punched him in the chest. “You really are a pig, Bobby!”

  “Oink-oink. Takes one to know one.” He backed away from another flying fist, and chuckling to himself, hurried down the hall.

  She’s nuts about me, he told himself confidently. Totally nuts about me.

  But I don’t have time for her now. I’ve got enough to handle. Twins!

  Arnie and Melanie were standing by the music room window, talking quietly. Paul was noodling at his keyboard. “Hey—what’s up?” Bobby called.

  Arnie called out a greeting. But Melanie only acted disgusted, narrowing her dark eyes and then turning toward the window.

  “I see you’re having a bad hair day, Melanie. But why take it out on me?” Bobby demanded.

  Melanie didn’t turn around. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Are you still dating both Wade twins?” she asked through clenched teeth.

  “Yeah. Maybe,” Bobby replied. “What’s it to you?”

  Melanie didn’t reply. Arnie shrugged.

  “Are we going to rehearse or not?” Paul called impatiently from behind his keyboard.

  Melanie turned to face Bobby, her features tight. “I don’t believe you,” she said sharply.

  Bobby grinned back at her. “I don’t believe it either!” he exclaimed. “Two at once. Even I’m impressed!”

  “When are you not impressed with yourself?” Melanie accused.

  “Paul’s right. We’ve got to practice,” Arnie interrupted.

  But Bobby saw that Melanie was determined to have her say. “You had a study date with Samantha the other night and Bree showed up at your house. Is that really true?” she demanded.

  Bobby grinned. “I guess people are talking about me, huh?”

  “Is it true?” Melanie asked.

  Bobby nodded. “Yeah. No problem. Samantha got out the back door just as Bree came into the living room. Bree didn’t suspect a thing.”

  “Close one, man,” Arnie murmured, grinning. “Wow.”

  Melanie flashed Arnie an angry look, then returned to Bobby. “Everyone in school is talking about it,” she told Bobby. “I know you think it’s really great. But what makes you think Bree won’t find out about you and her sister?”

  “Is it your problem?” Bobby shot back.

  “They’re my friends,” Melanie replied with emotion.

  “Hey—mine too,” Bobby replied with a smirk. He grinned at Arnie. “They’re wearing me out, man. They’re too much—even for me!”

  Arnie started to laugh, but Melanie’s stare made him cut it short.

  “I can’t believe Bree hasn’t figured it out,” she told Bobby, shaking her head. “How can you and Samantha do that to her?”

  Bobby shrugged. “Bree is a big girl. She can take it.”

  “But, Bobby,” Melanie insisted shrilly, “what happens when Bree finds out? She’ll be so hurt, feel so betrayed. You could tear their whole family apart.”

  “That’s the breaks,” Bobby replied with a shrug. He headed to the cabinet for his guitar.

  Bobby studied his face in the dresser mirror. It was a little after nine o’clock, and he still had plenty of homework to do. But it was hard to concentrate.

  He had been lying on his bed, his government text open in front of him. But thoughts of Bree and Samantha kept him from reading.

  If I had to dump one of them, which one would it be? he asked himself.

  They were so alike. Yet so different.

  And they both seemed to be totally crazy about him.

  He had pulled himself up and walked to the mirror. Brushing his blond hair, he studied his face, his smile.

  He liked what he saw.

  The phone on the desk rang, interrupting his admiration session. He let it ring a few times. If it was a girl, he didn’t want to seem too eager. He finally picked up the receiver and said hello in a low voice.

  “Two’s company. Three’s a crowd,” a voice whispered in his ear.

  “Huh?” Bobby pulled the receiver from his ear and stared at it as if that would help him recognize the caller. “Hey—who is this?” he demanded.

  “Two’s company. Three’s a crowd,” the whisperer repeated. “You’ll pay.”

  “Huh? What’s the joke?” Bobby asked, struggling to hear the words, listening hard for a clue to the caller’s identity.

  “You’ll pay,” the voice repeated menacingly. “You’ll pay double.”

  chapter 11

  The Surprise Visitor

  Bobby gripped the receiver hard, listening to the threat. He had read books and seen movies in which people got scary phone calls. But he never thought it would happen to him.

  Who would try to scare me? he asked himself.

  Everyone likes me!

  “Samantha—is that you?” he demanded. “It’s you, right?” He knew this was the kind of dumb joke Samantha would pull. She loved to surprise him, to shock him. “Living on the edge,” she called it.

  He heard a quiet snicker at the other end of the line.

  “Whoa! Arnie!” Bobby cried. “Give it up, man. I recognize you now.”

  The quiet snicker burst into a high-pitched laugh. “How’d you know, man?”

  “Arnie, I’d recognize your stupid laugh anywhere,” Bobby said, feeling relieved. “What is your problem anyway?”

  “Just goofing,” Arnie replied. “I thought maybe you needed a little excitement. I mean, your life is so boring these days.”

  “You’re jealous. Face it,” Bobby said, relaxing his hold on the receiver. He dropped down to sit on the edge of his desk.

  “Hey, no way!” Arn
ie insisted.

  “You’re jealous because Bobby the Man has got both of the Wade twins and—”

  “No way,” Arnie repeated. “Why would I be jealous? I know I eventually get your rejects.”

  Bobby laughed. “Well, you can have Bree when I decide to dump her,” he told his friend. “Or maybe Samantha,” he added. “Or maybe both.”

  Arnie laughed. “Wow, Bobby. I don’t believe you! How long are you going to keep this up? I mean, going out with both of them.”

  “As long as I can!” Bobby replied. “They’re both hot, Arnie. I mean, really hot! And they’re both stoked about me. But,” he added, “what else is new?”

  Arnie chuckled. “At least you’re not conceited or anything.”

  “Who? Me?”

  They both laughed.

  “Melanie is having a cow about this,” Arnie said seriously.

  Bobby shifted the phone to his other ear. “Yeah, I know. What’s her problem, man? She’s got you now. She isn’t still hung up on me—is she?”

  “No,” Arnie replied thoughtfully.

  “So why is she on my case?” Bobby demanded. “Why does she care what I do with the Wade twins?”

  “You know girls,” Arnie answered flatly.

  Bobby started to reply with a nasty comment about Melanie. But the doorbell rang downstairs, interrupting him. He told Arnie goodbye, hung up the phone, and glanced at the clock radio. A little after ten.

  Who would be at the door this late?

  The bell rang again. And again. Bobby’s parents were at a neighbor’s. “Give me a break! I’m coming!” Bobby called, hurrying down the stairs two at a time.

  He pulled open the front door.

  “Bree! What’s wrong?” he asked.

  She stared at him with troubled eyes. “Bobby,” she whispered. “We’ve got to talk.”

  chapter 12

  Bree Found Out!

  “Bree—what’s up?” Bobby asked. “It’s so late and—”

  She brushed past him into the house. Her black hair was tied behind her head with a blue band. She wore a pale green polo shirt over baggy faded denim shorts.

  She’s found out! Bobby realized, a heavy feeling forming in the pit of his stomach.